The American swimmer announced his retirement from swimming after bagging 23 Olympic gold medals and a total of 28 medals. He bagged 5 gold and 1 silver medal at the Rio Olympics before the curtain fell on his illustrous career.

Michael Phelps celebrates winning his gold medal in the men's 200-meter butterfly with his fiancee Nicole Johnson and baby Boomer during the Rio Olympics 2016

Phelps had become the youngest American swimmer at the age of 15 to participate at the 2002 Olympic games in Sydney. His domination started since Athens Olympics 2004 and since then there was no stopping.

He had announced his retirement earlier in 2012 after participating at the London Olympics but later revoked his decision and came back for Rio.

But now as it seems, Phelps has made a firm decision and it is indeed an end of an era. Speaking to the media, he said: "Done. Done. Done. This time I mean it. We talked earlier in the year and I wanted to come back and finish my career how I wanted. This was the cherry on top of the cake I wanted.

"The biggest thing between now and London was that I was more emotional during these games and that showed on camera. I knew this was the last time, the last race I'd ever have, the last Olympics I'd ever have."

The legendary swimmer who is the most decorated Olympian in history further claimed that he is looking forward to post retirement life. He is planning to spend most of his time with his new born son Boomer Phelps.

Phelps added: "I picked him up after I was done and just held him, that's something I'm really, really looking forward to, just watching him grow up. I don't want to miss a thing."

He finally thanked all his fans around the world for their support and ended with a goodbye note which said: "You guys won't see me at one of these things for a long time."